Planthropology

Send us a text Ever wondered how working with plants could transform your life? Destin Noak, known online as the Texas Garden Guy, discovered gardening's therapeutic power during a period of uncertainty after leaving the Air Force in 2011. What began with his father's simple suggestion to till the backyard evolved into a passionate pursuit that would eventually open doors to a fulfilling career. "It kind of gave me that relaxation, that therapy that I didn't know I needed," Destin explains, ...

Send us a text Dr. Cheryl Hosler, creator of Nature Check and The Roving Naturalist, shares her journey from feeling inadequate in science to becoming a postdoctoral researcher and innovative science communicator who uses storytelling and gaming to connect people with ecological concepts. • Cheryl's educational path from English major to scientist, overcoming early discouragement in high school science classes • The limitations of the "deficit model" in science communication and why simply p...

Send us a text Sean Patchett, known online as Garden Guy Muskoka, shares his multifaceted experience in horticulture, from landscape work to science communication, emphasizing the critical importance of context in gardening advice. • Context is everything when sharing gardening information – advice must be tailored to location, climate, and specific situations • The internet contains overwhelming amounts of gardening information, requiring critical evaluation and testing • Working in landsca...

Send us a text Cassie Yahnian and Danielle LaRock share the captivating journey of their podcast National Park After Dark, celebrating four years of exploring the mysteries, histories, and conservation stories of America's public lands. • Former veterinary technicians who bonded over their shared love of outdoor spaces and morbid curiosity • Transformed casual conversations about national park mysteries into a wildly successful podcast • Use compelling storytelling to convey conservation mes...

Send us a text Roey, a music industry marketing professional and lo-fi producer, uses his "dad jazz" instrumental music to fund native plant installations across Nashville and beyond. • Growing up in a family of avid gardeners and nature enthusiasts instilled a deep appreciation for native plants and natural spaces • Names his songs after native plants and uses all proceeds to purchase seeds from Roundstone, a native plant seed farm in Kentucky • Transformed his yard into a 4,000 square foot...

Send us a text Dr. Jessica Tullar Caroom returns to the podcast to discuss the evolution of her community food systems work and the importance of building meaningful connections through growing and sharing food. • Growing Together Texas supports gardeners, growers, and cooks as three interconnected parts of a healthy food ecosystem • Creating an online farmers market (LBK Grown) that helps local producers collaborate rather than compete • Offering subscription produce boxes with seasonal veg...

Send us a text This episode is a delightful exploration of listener-submitted plant questions, offering insights into plant care, specific plant challenges, and the relationship between environmental conditions and plant health. - Overview of the seasonal Q&A format - Discussion on controlling bindweed and morning glory - Humidity’s nuanced effect on plant health - Benefits of indoor plants on air quality - Recommended houseplants for low-light conditions&nb...

Send us a text This episode emphasizes the importance of community, realistic expectations, and small beginnings in gardening. We explore how to nurture connections with neighbors, set achievable goals, and adapt to various living conditions to create a rewarding gardening experience. • Understanding why content creators should be careful with gardening recommendations • Setting realistic expectations about food production at home • The vital role of community in successful ...

Send us a text What's up Plant People?? It's been a minute since our last Q&A episode, and I have some good ones for you today! Thanks to @marahw1999, @honukaimi, and Shannon Perry (oz9podcast) for the outstanding questions! Be sure to check out the Lubbock Arts Alliance on Instagram and their other socials to learn more about Delightful Fantasy Flowers and enter for a chance to win some cool swag! Oh, and if you'd like to watch a cool time lapse of a dragon fruit blooming, you ...

Send us a text Get ready to unravel the fascinating world of wildlife biology and plant science as we sit down with Ashley Bray, the insightful host of the Get Out Alive podcast. Have you ever wondered how the dynamics between plants and animals shape our ecosystems? Ashley shares her inspiring journey from childhood animal enthusiast to wildlife biologist, overcoming early academic hurdles and reshaping career expectations. We delve into the essential relationship between plant and animal ec...

Send us a text What's up, Plant People? Join us as we welcome Dr. Sarah Duignan, the host of the AnthroDish podcast and a medical anthropologist, on a remarkable journey navigating food anthropology and community health. From her roots in Ontario, where a deep connection with nature began shaping her career, Sarah takes us through her academic route via Trent University, the University of Manitoba, and McMaster University. Discover how her passion transitioned from the study of ancient skelet...

Send us a text If you've ever wondered how to enrich your diet without falling prey to restrictive eating, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, the brain behind the Nutrivore philosophy, joins us to illuminate the path towards optimal nutrition. Through our engaging dialogue, Sarah shares her transformative journey from research scientist to a passionate advocate for nutrition and health communication. We navigate her personal health challenges and how they led to the birth of Nutrivore, a way of life that ...

Send us a text What's up, Plant People?? It's our first Deep Dive episode in quite a while. I was super excited to get to talk to my friend, Dr. Erica Irlbeck, again on the show. Erica is a Professor of Ag Communications, the Associate Dean of Outreach and Engagement for the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech, and the author of the Crisis Communication Guide for Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. We talked about everything from good communication...

Send us a text Ever find yourself marveling at the uncanny connection you share with your furry best friend? Our latest podcast episode takes us on an expedition into the heart of human-canine relationships, with Melissa McCue-McGrath, a true trailblazer in dog training and conservation, leading the way. Celebrating Melissa's birthday, we tap into her wealth of knowledge, from the psychological bonds we forge with our dogs to their astonishing roles in ecological conservation. Navigate the b...

Send us a text What's up, Plant People?? I hope you're well! My guest today is a long-time mentor and friend, Dr. Robert Cox. Dr. Cox is a restoration ecologist whose wisdom in prairie ecosystems and passion for academia are as deep-rooted as the native species he studies. This episode is full of stories from Dr. Cox's academic adventures, which began in herpetology and evolved into the long-time study of plant ecology. We discussed a little bit of everything, from some of the roles fir...